Apparatus for distilling hydrocarbon cils



06h28, 1930. H. SCHNETZLER 1,779,918

APPARATUS FOR DISTILLING HYDROCARBON OILS Filed March lO, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet ll y emr. Eiffg 6.250572@ zie? a y oct. y.29, 1930. H, G SCHNETZLER 1,779,918

APPARATUS FOR DISTILLING HYDROCARBON OILS Filed March 1o, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 yPatented Oct. 28, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-FICE nanny e. scHNE'rzLEn, or WRITING, INDIANA, AssIeNon 'ro STANDARD ou; conrANr, or WRITING, INDIANA, A coRronArIoN or INDIANA .APPAIB/ ATUS FOB DISTILLING EYDB'OCAEBON GILS Application led. March 10, 1927. Serial No. 174,186.

This invention relates to an apparatus for distilling hydrocarbon'oils and particularly to a d istillation apparatus comprising a fractionating column and means for returning a part oiV the condensatel to serve as reflux therein. A

The invention will readily be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section of the general apparatus,

f near its rear end is provided with a weir or Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the distributing box on the line 2 2 ofFig. 4,

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan on the broken line 3 3 of Fig. 2,1 i

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view on one of the partitions 25. Referring to the drawings, 9 is a still provided with suitable means for heating, such as the furnace 10 or the closedsteam pipe 11 or both. The still may also be provided with open steam pipes 12. The stillis provided with an oil supply pipe 13, a draw-,0E pipe 14,

and a vapor outlet l5 which leads into a ractionating column 16 vwhich may suitably be of the 'bubble-cap type. The upper part of the still -9 and the column 16 are preferably heavily lagged. From the top of the fractionating column 16 a vapor outlet 17 leads to a condenser 18, from which a liquid outlet 19 leads toa distributing box 29.

The box 20 is preferably elongated and partition 21 leaving a clearance between it and the top and bottom of the box.' From an intermediate point of the partition 21 a horizontal partition 22 extends forwardly and between the forwardend of the partition 22 and the bottom of the box is a vertical partition 23. The partitions 21, 22 and 23 extend across the box and divide it into two parts which communicate only through the clearance above the top partition 21.` The upper edge of the weir or partition 21 is horizontal so that the flow of liquid thereover is uniform. Between the partitions 21 and 23 is located a weir or partition 24 which extends across the box and from the bottom of the box to a height somewhat below the horizont l partition 22.

The box 20 is provided wit longitudinal partitions 25, of the form illustrated in Fig. 5, located to cooperate Awith the walls of the box and the partitions 21, 22 and 24 so as to divide `the'box rearwardly of. partitions 21and 24 Vinto a plurality of separate 'compartments designated 26, 27, 28 and 29 on the drawings. The partitions 25 are preferably spaced apart by predetermined amountsso that the compartments 26, 27, 28 and 29 will receive correspondingly predetermined proportions of the liquid assing over the weir 21. For example, as i lustrated, the widths ofthe' compartments 26, 27, 28 and 29 are in the proportions 2: 8:4:3, so `that compartment 26 re.

ceives 2/17 of the liquid passing over the weir 21, compartment 27 receiver 8/17, compartment 28 receives 4/17 and compartment 29 receives 3/17. A pipe 30 leads from the bottom of the box, between partitions 23 and 24, to a storage tank 31. From each of the compartments 26, 27, 28 and 29, pipes 32, 33, 34 and 35, respectively, provided with valves 36, 37,38 and 39 lead to a manifold 40 which leads to a tank 41. In the forward part of the box 20 is provided a baie 42 which extends across the box and above the liquid level therein, leaving a clearance below its lower edge, so that the condensate fed in by pipe 19 is presented to the Weir 21 in an orderly iow. From the lower part of tank 41, a pipe 43 leads to a pump 44, which feeds into a pipe 45 which leads into the upper part of coiumn 16. balanced valve 46is provided in pipe 45 and is adapted to be controlled by a float 47 in tank 41, said oat being connected to the valve by a cord 48. -In place of the pump 44, any other suitable means may be provided for supplying reflux to the fractionating column 16. For example, the vapors may be condensed at an elevated position and a part may be allowed to flow to the column 16 by gravity.

The numeral 45 designates a water trap which is provided with a Water drawoff pipe. Steam which is introduced into the still' throughl pipe 12 and condensed in condenser 18 may be removed through trap 49.

The operation is as follows: rlhe still being supplied with naplitha to be rerun for the production of a close-cut naphtha, steam is supplied to both the ciosed and open steam pipes 11 and 12. The vapors pass upwardly through the fractionating column 16, being intimately contacted therein with reflux supplied by pipe 45 as hereinafter described. The vapors issuing from the top of the column 16 are condensed in condenser 18 and the condensate is supplied to box 2 0 by pipe 19. The condensate passes under the baille 42 and then in a stream of uniform thickness over the Weir 21, being thereby divided and supplied to the compartments 26,' 27, 28 and 29 in proportions depending upon the spac ing of the partitions 25 as hereinbefore described.

The amount of the condensate to be returned as reflux its determined by opening one or more of valves 36, 37, 38, 39. For example, if compartment 27 receives 8/17 of the condensate and if valve 37 is opened, that amount passes through pipe 33 and manifold 40 to tank 41 for-use as reflux. If, however, the valve 37 is closed the condensate collects in compartment 27 until it overflows Weir 24 and passes to the storage tank 31. The. condensate passing into compartments 26, 28 and 29 can be supplied either to the storage tank 31 or reflux tank 41 at will. The amount of refluxsupplied is capable of very accurate automatic control.v For example, with the specific proportions given it is possible to return as reflux the following fractions of the condensate:

o.2/17.s/i7.4/17.5/17 Mutis/17.1

It is preferred to operate pump 44 continuously allowing the flow through pipe 45 to be controlled by valve 46 which is automatically operated from the fioat 47.

While certain definite proportions have been mentioned in regard to the spacing of the partitions 25 it must be understood that these proportions are by i y of example only and that any other des l roportiens, and any'desired number of itions maj,v he employed.

Although the present described in connectior s :ecific embodiment t a'iat such d i ls shall l ons upon scope oi Lvention nventiei in so :tar as included in the accompanying claims. l

I claim:

1. An apparatus for dividing a liquid in definite proportions comprising a horizontal weir over which the liquid is adapted to fiow and a pluralityof partitions .adjacent said weir and spaced at predetermined distances to divide the flow over said weir and means for regulating the withdrawal of said divided flow of liquid.

2. An apparatus for dividing a liquid in definite proportions comprising a weir adapted to maintain a pool of liquid on one side and having a horizontal upper edge over which the liquid is adapted to flow, a partition on the other sideof said weir and iocated so as to divide the flow over said weir in predetermined proportions and means for regulatingthe flow from said divided flow of liquid.

3. An apparatus for dividing a liquid inv definite proportions comprising a horizontal Weir over which the liquid is adapted to flow, partitions adjacent said weir and spaced at predetermined distances to divide the flow over said Weir, said partitions defining a plurality of separate compartments, a plurality of conduit means adapted to be supplied with liquid from-a compartment and 'means for regulating the flow through said conduits.

5. An apparatus for dividing a liquid in definite pro ortions comprising a horizontal Weir over wliich the liquid is adapted to fiow, partitions adjacent said Weir and spaced at predetermined distances to divide the flow over said Weir, said partitions defining a plurality of separate compartments, a Weir at a. lower level than first said Weir forming one side of said compartments, valved conduits from the bottom of said compartments and conduit means forthe liquid passing over second said Weir.

6. An apparatus for dividing a liquid in definite proportions comprising a horizontal weir over which the liquid is adapted fr ificw, partitions adjacent said weir and spL predetermined distances to divide th2 conduit flow and reguia said divided which said liquid is adapted to pass, a plurality of partitions located behind said Weir and extending thereabove to divide the ow thereover in accordance with the spacing of said partitions, a Weir lower Athan first said Weir forming with said partitions a plurality of compartments, valved conduit means from each o said compartments, a compartment adapted to receive liquid passing over second said Weir and conduit means from last said compartment.'

HARRY GJ SCHNETZLER. 

